The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
5 Items TSA Confiscates Most At US Airport Checkpoints
Water bottles outrank every weapon TSA finds. Here are the five items most often surrendered at US checkpoints.
TSA officers handle about 3.3 million carry-on bags daily, according to the agency. The bulk of prohibited items discovered at checkpoints come from travelers who forgot their contents were packed.
Most items taken by TSA are not technically confiscated. Instead, items left at checkpoints are classified as voluntarily abandoned property, since passengers choose to surrender them to avoid missing a flight.
The reporting emphasizes that forgetfulness, rather than intent, accounts for the majority of these findings. This framing suggests that many travelers would prefer to proceed with their travel plans if possible.
The piece notes the distinction between confiscation and abandonment as part of TSA’s checkpoint experience, offering a lens on how travelers interact with security procedures. The source also identifies the author as Brandon Shaw, a private pilot and flight simulation enthusiast.